Swindon’s two largest law firms – Thrings and Withy King – have again been named among the best in the South West by the Legal 500, the respected annual guide.
The two firms are classed as ‘regional heavyweights’ in the research-based guide, which gauges the strength of the legal sector across the UK and names the country’s leading lawyers. 
In a regional overview dominated by large Bristol firms, Thrings – which has the largest of its seven offices in Swindon – is described as ‘a very solid regional practice that punches above its weight’, with praise from its clients for its ‘good, technical, appropriate knowledge’.
Legal 500 says Withy King’s merger last year with Swindon rival Lemon & Co had enhanced its Swindon and Wiltshire offering in private client and commercial matters, including clinical negligence and personal injury.
Among the other Swindon firms included in the guide is Clark Holt. Partner Richard Clark is described as a highly regarded corporate finance lawyer, while parther Jeremy Holt has experience in a wide range of commercial matters, including software licenses, cloud computing and employment law.
Reeds Solicitors, which specialises in immigration, is also named in the guide.
Novum Law and South West firm NewLaw Solicitors, which has an office in Swindon, are among the top M4 corridor firms for personal injury (claimant) work.
Wansbroughs, with offices in Devizes and Melksham, is recognised for its personal injury: defendant work.
Meanwhile Peter Cusick and Andrew Braithwaite of Thrings are named among a list of leading individuals from across the region for their expertise in agriculture and estates, and intellectual property respectively. Louise Hart of Withy King is included for her work in personal injury (claimant) cases.
Corporate and commercial
At Thrings, John Davies has ‘the ability to tackle difficult legal concepts without losing sight of the overall commercial objective’. Jonathan Payne and Bath-based Alex Pyatt are also recommended. New clients include Halfords, Maplecroft and World Fuel Services.
David Cavaliero at Withy King ‘builds an excellent rapport with clients’, and has ‘good commercial focus and acumen’. Associate Rishi Ladwa is also highly recommended. Clients include Lloyds Bank, Portchester Equity and Airsprung Group.
Commercial litigation
Thrings is praised for ‘real attention to detail’, ‘good commercial antennae’ and ‘sound judgement’. Andrew Herridge is ‘a courageous and creative litigator’, who is ‘always ready to take on the most difficult cases’. The team has particular expertise in the automotive, defence and aerospace industries. David Patterson is recommended.
Chris Kane at Withy King heads the highly regarded team, which handles IP, sports, commercial-contract and shareholder disputes. Philip Banks-Welsh is also recommended.
Employment
Withy King has a particular strength in tribunal work. Malcolm Gregory leads the team, which counts Churchill Investments and Bath Rugby among its clients.
Thrings supports clients on matters including wrongful dismissal, victimisation and trade union disputes. Kerrie Hunt is the team head.
Immigration
Reeds Solicitors acts for SMEs on Tier 1 entrepreneur applications and employer responsibilities, as well as individuals making asylum claims. Mandie Sewa is head of department.
Clinical negligence: claimant
Withy King is ‘well organised and efficient’. Simon Elliman has expertise in cerebral palsy and dental claims. Richard Coleman has a speciality in bariatric surgery negligence.
Personal injury: claimant
Headway panel member Withy King has expertise in brain and spinal injury work. The three-partner team includes leader Louise Hart, and Stuart Brazington, who ‘provides first-class support and guidance’.
NewLaw Solicitors is a rapidly growing ABS, with six qualified lawyers handling high-value claims, including motorcycle injuries.
Thrings’ personal injury operation is now Novum Law, and focuses on high-value claims.
Commercial property
At Thrings, Alex Pinhey acts for national and independent providers of self-invested pension funds. Bath-based Ben Jones has notable experience advising corporate occupiers. Alan Goulding is also recommended.
Withy King’s practice was boosted by the May 2014 merger with Lemon&Co. Paul Daniels’ team saw a number of impressive client wins including Bristol Water, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Oak Furniture Land. Peter Foskett, Greg Callard and Edward Cooke are recommended.
Construction
Litigator Chris Kane heads the team at Withy King, which handles both contentious and non-contentious matters. Graham Street and Philip Banks-Welsh are recommended for construction-related disputes.
Steve McCombe and Eric Livingston are recommended at Thrings.
Environment
Alex Madden at Thrings is ‘a highly competent and thorough performer’.
Planning
Thrings’ ‘highly competent’ team, which includes Alex Madden and Peter Cusick, is recommended for rural planning, and advises members of rural organisations, including NFU.
Property litigation
Warren Reid at Thrings is praised for his ‘sound advice’. New clients include Jelf Group, Matchesfashion and Abu Dhabi Petroleum. Michael Tatters is an ‘excellent communicator’.
Caroline Preist’s team at Withy King acts for commercial landowners, tenants and private clients.
Wansbroughs’ Oliver Price has experience in handling tenant-related disputes.
IT and telecoms
Thrings advises on software as a service, contract drafting and disputes. In addition to local SMEs, Rickett Benckiser and Sportsdata are clients.
Jessica Bent’s team at Withy King has ‘good expertise in both contentious and non-contentious work’, and advises medium-sized businesses. Bath Rugby is a client.
Intellectual property
Thrings has expertise in consumer goods and service rights. Andrew Braithwaite has ‘lots of practical experience in setting up commercial arrangements to exploit IP’. Clients include Lovehoney and MAN.
Withy King assists businesses with contentious and non-contentious IP, patent and trade mark issues. Jessica Bent leads the team.
Media and entertainment
Thrings advises digital businesses on content licensing, compliance and privacy. Clients include gift-card manufacturer Carte Blanche, for which the practice acted on licensing Moshi Monsters-related IP from Mind Candy. Graeme Fearon leads the team.
Withy King provides support on passing off, content licensing, film investment and web 2.0 terms and conditions.
Sport
Thrings handles disciplinary, regulatory and contractual work for clubs and sportspeople. Andy Braithwaite leads the team.
